Welcome to Working to Beat Hell - your source for tools to help you in the quest to beat Hell!

The New York State Government is attempting to redefine marriage by issue a law that permits "same-sex marriages." Despite what the legislation says, the reality (or truth) is that there is no such thing as same sex marriage.

In the midst of discussing this matter with people, Fr. Brian Carpenter has come across numerous statements that he terms "heresies" regarding the Catholic position on this matter. You can read about those heresies in a special weekend article.

This week's earlier article, Celebrating Fatherhood is still available and can be accessed by clicking the link.

If you have comments on this article (or any article on our Website), or if you have suggestions for future articles, email us at: feedback@workingtobeathell.org

A bit about the name:
We live in a world of division. We see the world as consisting of Us and Them. This occurs on many levels ranging from politics (Republican - Democrat), to sports, and yes it has even invaded our faith life (Catholic - Protestant, Liberal - Conservative). These divisions often lead us to view the "Other" group as enemy. But the Council of Trent reminds us that we only have one enemy, and that is the devil or Satan. Thus, rather than working to beat the Republicans or Democrats, the liberals or the conservatives, we should all be united and Working to Beat Hell.

Treating Infertility as a Catholic
Liana Eisenman-Wolford

One of my dearest friends desires a child more than any other gift. Some of my cousins have struggled with infertility and the devastating grief of miscarriage. Through them, I know some of the pain involved. So I hesitate to even write this. I know that I cannot speak from experience, so what I say may be viewed as judgmental or heartless. I hope you can believe that what I intend is an explanation of Catholic theology, not criticism or dismissal of another's pain.

On the part of the spouses, the desire for a child is natural: it expresses the vocation to fatherhood and motherhood inscribed in conjugal love. This desire can be even stronger if the couple is affected by sterility which appears incurable. Nevertheless, marriage does not confer upon the spouses the right to have a child, but only the right to perform those natural acts which are per se ordered to procreation. A true and proper right to a child would be contrary to the child's dignity and nature. The child is not an object to which one has a right, nor can he be considered as an object of ownership: rather, a child is a gift, "the supreme gift" and the most gratuitous gift of marriage, and is a living testimony of the mutual giving of his parents. For this reason, the child has the right, as already mentioned, to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents; and he also has the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception. - Donum Vitae 8.

It is good to want children. God commanded, "Be fruitful and multiply." Using NFP to track fertile times and increase the chances of conception is a proper use of our sexuality – assuming that sex does not become just something that must be done, separated from the love between spouses.

A simple explanation of other fertility treatments is that love and life should not be divided. Any treatments that improve the likelihood of conception within the natural marital act are acceptable. This would include treating ovulatory and hormonal dysfunctions or surgical correction of physical causes of infertility. (Somewhat as an aside, sperm samples can be morally collected using a perforated condom during sex. Sperm samples from masturbation are unacceptable.)

Treatments that make marital intercourse unnecessary are considered immoral. This would include IVF, artificial insemination, ovum donation, or a surrogate uterus. I truly cannot imagine how couples must feel to be denied children. I know my soul-friend's pain, but only filtered through her, not as my own. It must seem cruel for the Church to speak out against technology that would allow these married couples to become parents.

The Church is compelled to speak here. Even artificial insemination using sperm from one's husband disorders God's plan for sexuality. It separates the act of love from the act of life, leaving the creation of life in the hands of a doctor instead of the child's parents. The issues of masturbation, homosexuality and bisexuality, artificial contraception, premarital sex, and immoral fertility treatments are not separate issues. They all spring from a misuse of our sexuality. This gift is too sacred to be twisted to our own desires, no matter how admirable those desires may appear.

Brian Carpenter is a priest of the Diocese of Rochester, NY. Fr. Brian Carpenter. Rev. Brian Carpenter.